Foals Flashcards
(134 cards)
What do you need to be careful of when dosing foals
Dosages need to change as the foal grows ~1kg a day
Differences between neonates and adults dosing
Dynamic dosages
Increased oral bioavailability
Volume distribution (increased %water)
Decreased plasma proteins
Decreased metabolic and excretory activity
What should you assume in sick foals
Septic till proven otherwise
Treatment for foal sepsis
Antimicrobials
Hemodynamic support
Supportive care
Examples of low sepsis risk
Unobserved foaling/meconium impaction
Example of moderate sepsis risk
Umbilical infection
Example of high sepsis risk
Dystocia
Neonatal encephalopathy
Examples of septic foals
Neonatal encephalopathy+ septic joint
Enterocolitis
Treatment for low/medium sepsis risks
Oral TMPS (trimethoprim sulphadiazine) 30mg/kg BID
Treatment for high risk sepsis/septic foals (normal renal function)
IV sodium penicillin 22mg/kg every 6h
IV gentamicin 12mg/kg every 36h
Treatment for high risk sepsis/septic foals (abnormal renal function)
IV centiofur 5mg/kg every 12 h
What should you be careful of with oxytetracycline in foals
Kidney damage
Causes tendon laxity
What should be avoided in sedating a foal
Alpha 2 agonists - bradycardic
Should you use nsaids in foals?
Only if very necessary. Side effects much worse than in adults
What other therapeutics should be used in a hospitalized foal
Sucralfate +/- PPIs
What should be used for a dehydrated/hypovolemic foal
20ml/kg Hartmann’s (repeat up to 3x)
Treatment for mild obtundation/not nursing
250-500ml good quality colostrum via NGT
Treatment for FPT
Plasma 20ml/kg -/+ further 20-40 ml/kg based on IgG post transfusion
Transfuse SLOWLY watch for reactions
Best sedation for foals
Diazepam+/- butorphanol
Normal heart rate for a foal at birth
60-80
Normal heart rate for a foal at 1h
120-150
Normal heart rate for a foal 1-5 days old
80-100
Respiratory rate for foal at birth
60-80
Respiratory rate for a foal from 1hour old
~30